Patent Application
20230330696
The present invention relates to a method for dispensing to enable the controlled diffusion of a liquid, viscous, pasty, powdery, or gaseous product by means of a dispensing device in which a connection tip is connected.
The method for dispensing according to the present invention is more particularly for the dispensing devices developed by the applicant, as described and protected in patent WO2019186072.
The dispensing device is composed of an elongated body adapted to being held and manipulated with a single hand by the user, and inside the device there is positioned a battery powering an electric motor or geared motor, allowing the driving of a thrust axis which is designed to cooperate with a connection tip taken from an assortment of connection tips.
Each connection tip comprises on the one hand means of fixation for its retention inside the dispensing device and on the other hand means of recognition which is activated when the tip is connected in said dispensing device, making it possible to initialize one of the control programs previously integrated in an electronic card.
The dispensing device comprises a command button enabling a control of the electric motor or geared motor depending on the control program as determined by the tip for the purpose of controlling the latter.
The method for dispensing according to the invention will describe and protect each step in the functioning of the dispensing device provided to the user depending on each connection tip taken from the assortment of tips.
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention wherein mode MA1 of the control program allows the user U to select one of the following submodes regarding the movement of the thrust piston of the dispensing device:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention wherein mode MA2 of the control program allows the user U to select one of the following submodes regarding the movement of the thrust piston of the dispensing device (100):
The method for dispensing according to the present invention wherein erode MA3 of the control program allows the user U to select one of the following submodes regarding the movement of the thrust piston of the dispensing device:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention wherein mode MB1 of the control program allows the user U to select one of the following submodes regarding the movement of the thrust piston of the dispensing device:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention wherein mode MB2 of the control program allows the user U to select one of the following submodes regarding the movement of the thrust piston of the dispensing device:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention wherein mode MB3 of the control program allows the user U to select one of the following submodes regarding movement of the thrust piston of the dispensing device:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention determines that mode MD1 of the control program comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention determines that mode MD2 of the control program comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
The method for dispensing according to the present invention comprises:
According to one preferred mode of the invention, the method for dispensing uses speeds Va through Vg and Vr which are between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second.
The method for dispensing according to the present invention wherein the tips A, B, D and F can be previously heated.
According to another mode of the invention, the method for dispensing consists in that the tips A, B, D and F are heated on a recharging support prior to being secured in the dispensing device.
According to another mode of the invention, the method for dispensing consists in that the tips A, B, D and F are heated in the dispensing device.
According to another mode of the invention, the method for dispensing consists in that the tips A, B. D and F have their own heating device.
There is represented in
The dispensing device 100 can be used in different fields and more particularly in the medical field, such as dentistry, orthopedics, cosmetics, ophthalmology and veterinary.
The dispensing device 100 comprises an elongated body 200 having a command button 300, a control button 400 and a retraction button 500 allowing the user U to select an operating mode previously recorded in an electronic control card, not illustrated, which is housed in said dispensing device.
The dispensing device 100 comprises at one of its ends, more particularly at the end opposite the retraction button 500, a housing 110 enabling the fixation of a connection tip taken from an assortment of tips A through G.
The connection tips A through G respectively make possible different procedures, namely:
The dispensing device 100 comprises in its internal portion, as described in the patent WO2019186072 belonging to the applicant, recognition means allowing the initialization of a control program corresponding to the selected tip A through G, and an electric motor driving a thrust piston for acting on the tip which has been secured.
The dispensing device 100 can be placed on a recharging support 600 enabling a charging of the batteries provided inside said device, said batteries for example making it possible to drive the electric motor and power the electronic control card and the recognition means, allowing the initializing of a control program corresponding to the selected tip.
In our example as described below, the modes and submodes of the control program are the ones which are proposed in the field of dentistry.
Of course, and without this limiting the scope of the invention, these modes and submodes can be applied to other fields, such as but not limited to the medical fields already indicated above.
The first step ET1 involves the user U taking the dispensing device 100 from its recharging support 600 or wherever it may be located.
The second step ET2 allows the user U to select a connection tip, depending on the action to be carried out, from the assortment of tips A through G, each of them having a predefined function.
The third step ET3 allows the user U to put in place and secure the connection tip chosen from the tip assortment A through G inside the dispensing device 100. When the connection tip is secured inside the dispensing device 100, the latter can activate the recognition means housed in said dispensing device. The recognition means, of mechanical or electronic type, make it possible to initialize a control program loaded in the electronic control card corresponding to the selected tip A through G. The control program checks whether the selected tip A through G has various operating modes and/or submodes according to step A1
The fourth step ET4 allows the user U, once the control program has been initialized, to select, if necessary according to the function of the connection tip A through G and by using at least one command button 300, a particular operating mode among the various modes proposed by the control program.
The fifth step ET5 includes the user U positioning the dispensing device 100 in the work zone where the tip A through G should be located. In our nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, the user U will place the previously selected tip for example in the mouth of a patient P in order to perform the necessary treatment in the desired health care sequence (infiltration, irrigation, placement of reconstruction material, placement of impression paste, etc).
The sixth step ET6 allows the user U to actuate a control button 400 for the automatic advancement of a thrust piston driven by an electric motor housed inside the dispensing device 100 up to its initial position according to the previously determined control program.
According to the seventh step ET7, the user U holds down the control button 400, allowing the starting of the control program according to the previously determined functions, in order to drive the thrust piston housed in the dispensing device 100 so as to act on the tip A through G and distribute said product.
According to the eighth step ET8, the user U double clicks and holds down the control button 400 enabling the starting of the control program according to the previously determined functions, in order to drive the thrust piston housed in the dispensing device 100 so as to act on the tip A through G and distribute said product.
According to the ninth step ET9, the user U holds down the retraction button 500, enabling the starting of the control program according to the previously determined functions, in order to drive the thrust piston housed in the dispensing device 100 so as to act on the tip B.
According to the tenth step ET10, the user U double clicks on the retraction button 500, enabling the starting of the control program according to the previously determined functions, in order to drive the thrust piston housed in the dispensing device 100 so as to act on the tip B. During this step, the user U should verify that the procedure is terminated per A2 and move on to the following steps. If such is not the case, he may go back to the end of step ET6.
The eleventh step ET11 consists in the user U releasing the control button 400 at the end of the application of the product contained in the tip A through G. During this step, the user U should verify that the procedure is terminated per A2 and move on to the following steps. If such is not the case, he may go back to the end of step ET6.
The twelfth step ET12 consists in the user U releasing the retraction button 500 at the end of the aspiration of the product in the tip B. During this step, the user U should verify that the procedure is terminated per A2 and move on to the following steps. If such is not the case, he may go back to the end of step ET6.
During the thirteenth step ET13, the user U double clicks on a retraction button 500, enabling a control of the electric motor driving the retraction of the thrust piston of the dispensing device 100 from the tip.
During the fourteenth step ET14, the user U actuates a retraction button 500, enabling a control of the electric motor driving the retraction of the thrust piston of the dispensing device 100 from the tip.
During the fifteenth step ET15, the user U removes the selected tip A through G from the dispensing device 100.
The user U then proceeds with the verification steps per A3; depending on the tip A through G used, it will either be sent on for sterilization, step ET16, or disposed of, step ET17.
When the user U selects a connection tip A and this is secured inside the dispensing device 100, the recognition means is automatically activated, enabling the initializing of a control program corresponding to the selected tip.
Thus, the user U may select one of the following proposed modes in the control program through the control button 400:
In our example, namely, the field of dentistry, mode MA1 corresponds to a so-called “infiltration” mode. In this mode, the user U may select one of the following submodes:
Mode MA2 corresponds in the field of dentistry to a so-called “intra-ligamentary” mode. In this mode, the user U may select one of the following submodes:
Mode MA3 corresponds in the field of dentistry to a so-called “truncular” mode. In this mode, the user U can select one of the following submodes:
It will be noted that the speeds Va10 through Va18 of each submode are between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second. The constant speed Vr is between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second.
When the user U selects a connection tip B and this tip is secured inside the dispensing device 100, the recognition means is automatically activated to enable the initialization of a control program corresponding to the selected tip.
In a first step, the user activates the retraction button 500 allowing a product contained in an external bottle to be sucked up in order to fill the type B connection tip.
The user U can then use the control button 400 to select in the control program one of the following proposed modes:
In our example, namely, the field of dentistry, mode MB1 corresponds to a so-called “irrigation” mode of the control program. In this mode, the user U can select one of the following submodes:
Mode MB2 corresponds in the field of dentistry to a so-called “purge” mode of the control program. This mode allows the user U to select one of the following submodes:
Mode MB3 corresponds in the field of dentistry to a so-called “suction” mode of the control program. This mode allows the user to select one of the following submodes:
It will be noted that the speeds Vb10 to Vb16 of each submode are between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second. The constant speed Vr is between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second.
When the user U selects a connection tip C, E, F or G and this tip is secured inside the dispensing device 100, the recognition means is automatically activated to enable the initialization of a control program corresponding to the selected tip.
Thus, the user U can select with the control button 400 one of the modes MC1, ME1, MF1 or MG1 in the control program, depending on the selected tip, and can access one of the following submodes:
It will be noted that the speeds Vc10, Ve10, Vf10, Vg10 to Vc12, Ve12, Vf12, Vg12 of each submode are between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second. The constant speed Vr is between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second.
When the user U selects a connection tip D and this tip is secured inside the dispensing device 100, the recognition means is automatically activated to enable the initialization of a control program corresponding to the selected tip.
Thus, the user U can use the control button 400 to select in the control program one of the following proposed modes:
In our example, namely, the field of dentistry, mode MD1 corresponds to a so-called “low viscosity liquid” mode. In this mode, the user U can select one of the following submodes:
Mode MD2 correspond in the field of dentistry to a so-called “high viscosity liquid” mode. In this mode, the user U can select one of the following submodes:
It will be noted that the speeds Vd10 to Vd12 and Vd20 to Vd22 of each submode are between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second. The constant speed Vr is between 0.05 millimeters per second and 15 millimeters per second.
It will be noted that the tips A, B, D and F can be previously heated in order to improve the efficacy of certain products contained in said tips.
In fact, the heating of dental composites resins improves their mechanical properties and thus increases their hardness, their adhesion, and the quality of the degree of conversion. The act of heating and maintaining the tips at an ideal temperature makes it possible to reduce the sensation of an injection, due to the sudden temperature difference, and thus to improve the comfort of the patient.
Likewise, the act of heating solutions for endodontics increases their solvent capability and thus increases the dissolution of organic and mineral materials by neutralizing microorganisms, thus improving the irrigation treatment.
The heating of the tips can be done by any known means, arranged either in the recharging support 600 or in the dispensing device 100 or in the connection tip itself.
It will be noted that the number of modes and submodes of the control program is not limited to the ones described above, but rather their number will be adapted according to the field in which the dispensing device 100 is used.
It will be understood that the devices just described and represented above have been done so with a view to a disclosure, and not a limitation. Of course, other arrangements, modifications and improvements might be made in the above examples without thereby leaving the scope of the invention.
